Exercis ing-machine



(No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 1. E. J. KERNS. EXERGISING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 9, 1890.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

E. J. KERNS.

EXBRGISING MACHINE.

No. 435,934. Patented Sept. 9, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDlVARD J. KERNS, OF VORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXERClSlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,934, datedSeptember 9, 1890.

Application filed February 12, 1890. Serial No. 340,195- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD J .-KERNs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Vorcester, in the county of lVoroester, in the State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRowing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, which, in connection with thedrawings, making a part of this specification, will enable othersskilled in the art to which my invention belongs to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to rowing-machines;

and it consists in certain novel features of 15- construction andoperation thereof, as willbe hereinafter fully described.

The object of my invention is to improve upon rowing-machines asordinarily constructed, and to make the operation thereof correspond asnearly as possible with the actual operation of rowing a boat.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my rowing-machine.Fig. 2 is a side view taken at line .2 .2, Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of arrow a, same figure. Figs. and 4 are details, on anenlarged scale, of the oars, Fig. 3 being a plan, and Fig. 1 a sideView, looking in the direction of arrow 1), Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows, on anenlarged scale, the head of the machine, taken on line w, Fig. 1,looking in the direction of arrow 0, same figure. Fig. 6 is an end viewof the head shown in Fig. 5, looking in the direction of arrow (1, samefigure. Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-section on line o L, Fig. 5,looking in the direction of arrow 6, same figure. Fig.8 is a view of theclutch mechanism for connecting the several parts with theoperating-shaft, taken on line 2' 4., looking in the direction of thearrow (1, same figure. Fig. 9 is a detail of the driving-wheel andsprocket-wheel. Fig. 10 is a detail of the sprocket-wheel and clutchmechanism. Fig. 11 is an opposite end view of the head from that shownin Fig. 6, taken on line a u, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of arrowf, same figure, showing only the friction-pulley and belt and leverdetached. Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-section of the head correspondingto the horizontal section shown in Fig. 7, with some of the parts shownin Fig. 5 left off. Fig. 13 is an inner side view v of thedriving-wheel, looking in the direction of arrow g, Fig. 14. Fig. 14c isan edge view of the driving-wheel, looking in the direction of arrow h,Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is aview of that side of the sprocket-wheel which comesagainst the side of the drivingavheel shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 1G is ahorizontal cross-seetion on line 00 m, Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a sectionaldetail of the oar-handle, showing the manner of connecting the movablehandle, which is left 01f in said figure. Fig. 18 is a crosssection online 1 Fig. 17, looking in the direction of arrow '6, same figure. Fig.19 is a sectional detail showing the manner of connecting the oar at itspivoted end. Fig. 20 is a vertical cross-section on line 8 s, Fig. 19,looking in the direction of arrow j, same figure. Fig. 21 is a detailshowing the manner of connecting the pivoted cross-bar to thesprocket-chain. Fig. 22 is a vertical cross-section on line 0* r, Fig.21, looking in the direction of arrow 7;, same figure; and Fig. 23 is avertical section on line 25 t, Fig. 22, looking in the direction ofarrow Z, same figure, the supporting-bar being left out.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 is the frame or skeleton upon which theseveral parts of my rowing-machine are supported. 2 is the sliding seat,of ordinary construction, mounted to slide back and forth on the tracks3. 4 are the shoes in which the feet of the rower are placed. 0 are theOutriggers or rods secured to the frame 1, and in the outer ends ofwhich are pivotedly supported the oars (3.

lhe oars 6 (shown in detail in Figs. 3 andt and 17 to 20, inclusive)consist of a bar of wood provided with handles 6, which are adapted toturn or revolve on a pin 7, which is secured to the bar (5 in the mannershown in Fig. 17. A cap-piece S is secured to the end of the bar 6,provided with a hole in its outer end, through which the inner end ofthe pin 7 passes and is secured. Said cap-piece S is also provided witha stop 8 to limit the revolving motion of the handle 6 by means of theproject-ion 9 on the inner face of the thimble 9, which turns on the pin7 with the handle 6, and is fast in the end of said handle, coming incontact with said stop 8. The opposite end of the oar (J is providedwith a vertical hole or opening 10 in the metal cappiece 11, with therigid arm 11 extending out therefrom in the direction of the length ofthe oar. In the opening 10 is pivoted by pins 12 (see Fig. 20) the hub13, having the arm 14 integral therewith and extending out therefromover the arm 11. The outer end of the arm 14 is provided with a hub 14,into which extends the upper end of the pin 15, resting on the arm 11'.A spring 16 encircles said pin and is interposed between the upper sideof the arm 11' and the lower side of the hub 14', as shown in Figs. 4and19. The pin 17 extends loosely through a vertical hole in the hub 13,and is provided with a shoulder 17 extending out therefrom, upon whichthe hub 13 rests and has its bearing. The lower end of said pin 17 issecured by thumb-screw 18 in the block 19 upon the outer ends of theoutrigger or rods 5.

By pivoting the outer ends of the oars 6 in the manner as abovedescribed, and as fully shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and 19 and 20 of .thedrawings, a swinging motion in a horizontal plane can be imparted to theoars, as indicated by full and dotted lines, Fig. 1,and also a slighttilting motion in a vertical plane corresponding to the dipping of thecars in the actual process of rowing in a boat.

By means of the movable handles of the oars a movement of the hand andwrist of the rower is obtained, similar to the movement of featheringthe oars in the actual process of rowing in a boat, and this movement islimited, so as not to exceed the feathering movement of the oars and atthe same time conveying the feeling that a rower has when his oar is inthe proper position in the rowlook ready to put into the water.

The oars 6 are connected by rods 20 with the pivoted cross-bar 21. Saidrods 20 are pivoted at one end 'to the oars 6 between the pivot-pointand the handle'of said oars, preferably nearer the handle, as shown inthe drawings. The other ends of the rods 20 are pivoted to the outerends of cross-bar 21. A stud 22 extends through the cross-bar 21 andacts as a pivot upon which said cross-bar turns. The upper end of saidstud extends through a link in the sprocket-chain 23, and

.may be connected therewith at any point and attached to saidsprocket-chain by a pin 24. (See Figs. 21 and 22.)

Upon the lower surface of the crossbar 21 is pivoted by means of thestud 22 the crosshead 25, preferably of the shape shown incross-section, Fig. 22, and to which the lower end of the stud 22 issecured. Cross-head 25, upon which the cross-bar21 is pivotedlysupported by means of the stud 22, is adapted to extend over and slideback and forth on the way 26, supported at each end on stands 27 and 28.(See Fig. 2.) On the stand 27 is supported the sprocket-wheel 29. Saidsprocketwheel revolves on a stud 30, which extends out from a plate 31,which is secured to stand 27 by means of bolts 32 extending throughslots 33 in said stand. By means of the slots 33 and bolts 32 theadjustmentof the sprocket-wheel 29 back and forth in a horizontal planeis obtained, so as to tighten or loosen the sprocket-chain 23, asdesired. The endless sprocket-chain 23 also passes around thesprocket-wheel 34, forming a part of what I term the head of themachine.

The movement of the oars from the position shown in full lines, Fig. l,to the position shownin dotted lines causes the crossbar 21, attached tothe sprocket-chain 23, as above described, to slide along on the way 26to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. l, carrying thesprocket-chain 23 with it, and causing the sprocket-wheels 29 and 34 torevolve and the mechanism of the head of the machine to be operated,as'will be hereinafter fully described.

It will be understood that in the construction and operation of arowing-machine the object is to produce a resistance while pulling astroke of the oars corresponding to the resistance of the water in thepassage of the oars through the same, and to do away with that,resistance in the return movement of the oars preparatory to a newstroke.

I will now proceed to describe the head of my machine, which containsthe mechanism which produces the resistance while pulling a stroke ofthe oars and removes said resistance upon the return of the oarspreparatory to a new stroke. The resistance may be increased ordiminished, as desired.

The head ofmy machine consists of the base 35, which is supported orsecured to the frame 1 at the opposite end from the sliding seat 2.Stands 36 are secured upon the base 35, and in this instance haveadjustable centers 37 at their upper ends, between which centers issupported the shaft 38, said shaft having tapering holes in its ends,into which the pointed ends of the centers 37 extend. (See Fig. 7.)

Upon the shaft 38 is mounted the frictionpulley 39, fast thereon, andhaving its hub 39' extending out from one side thereof. Also mounted onthe shaft 38, but loose thereon, is the driving-wheel 40, having in thisinstance a beveled driving-face sprocket-wheel 34 and the flange-disk41, carrying the clutch mechanism, by means of which said driving-wheel40, sprocket-wheel 34, and flange-disk 41 are connected at the propertime with the friction-pulley 39 and shaft 38 to operate the same andthe friction or resistance mechanism connected therewith.

Driving-wheel 40, sprocket-wheel 38, and flange-disk 41 are connectedtogether by pins 42, (see Fig. 12,) the purpose of said pins being tohold the driving-wheel 40 and flangedisk 41 in line, while thesprocket-wheel 34 is operating the mechanism connected therewith. Astrap 41' extends around the flangedisk 41, and is fast at one end tothe stand 35 and adjustably secured at the other end by a spring 41".The object of the strap 41 is to produce friction enough to hold thefiange-disk 41 and clutch mechanism, and

- driving-Wheel 40.

also the driving-wheel 40, until the sprocketwheel 34 operates themechanism connected therewith. The adjacent faces of the sprocketwheel34 and the drivingwheel 40 are each provided with inclined surfaces and46, which are adapted to come in contact with each other and ride uponeach other to press the driving-wheel 40 away from the sprocket- Wheel34, when said sprocket-wheel is moved in one direction, against theaction of the springs 47, secured to the inner stand 36, (see Fig. 7,)which press the collar 48, loose on the end of the shaft 38, against thehub of the The opposite movement of the sprocket-wheel 34 disconnectsthe inclined surfaces 45 and 46 and allows the springs 47 to act on thecollar 48 and press the driving-wheel 40 back into its normal position,as shown in Fig. 12, so as not to open ate as a driving-wheel. The holes50 in the sprocket-Wheel 34, through which the bolts 42 pass, are madeelongated, and the knob 43 is made to fit loosely in slot 44 in wheel40, so that there may be a slight movement of the sprocket-wheel 34 ineither direction without moving the driving-Wheel 40 in a rotarydirection, but pushing it outward and away from the sprocket-wheel.

Connected with the opposite face of the sprocket-wheel 34 from thedriving-wheel 40, by means of bolts 42, is the flange-disk 41, carryingthe clutch mechanism. A knob 51 extends out from the face of thesprocketwheel 34 and fits into a slot 52 in the flangedisk 41. (See Fig.12.) By means of the elongated slots 50 in the sprocket-wheel 34,through which the bolts 42 pass, and the slot 52 in the flange-disk 41,a slight movement may be given to the sprocket-wheel in either directionWithout moving the flange-disk 41.

The flange-disk 41 carries the clutching mechanism for clutching the hub39 of the friction-pulley 39 fast on the shaft 38, cans ing said pulleyand shaft to revolve with the driving-wheel 40, sprocket-wheel 34, andflange-disk 41, and to operate the mechanism connected with said shaftwhen moving in one direction, and for releasing the hub 39' of thepulley 39, and allowing the same and the shaft 38 to remain stationarywhen the driving-wheel 40, sprocket-wheel 34, and flange-disk 41 aremoved in the opposite direction. The clutch mechanism supported on theflange-disk 41 consists in this instance of a split ring 53, secured byscrew 54 (see Fig. 12) on flange-disk 41, and mounted on the hub 39 ofthe friction-pulley 39, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) and two levers 55, pivotedby pins 56 on the flange-disk 41, and provided at one end with adjlisting-screws 58,- the inner ends of which come in contact with theends of the split ring 53. (See Fig. 8.) A pin 59, pivoted by means of ascrew in the flanged edge of the disk 41, (see Figs. 8, 10, and 12,)extends between the opposite ends ofthelevers56fromtheadjusting-screws58. The other end of said pin 59extends into a notch 51 in the rim of the sprocket-wheel 34. (See Fig.12.) The inner end of the pin 59 passes through an enlarged slot 61 inthe flange-disk 41, (see dotted lines, Fig. 10,) so as to allow of aslight movement of the pin 59 in one direction, causing it to spread theends of the levers 56,between which it extends, and cansing theadjusting-screws 58 in the opposite ends of said levers to compress thesplit ring 53 and bind it on the hub 39', and cause said hub and thefriction-pulley 39 and the shaft 38 and the parts connected therewith torevolve when the flange-disk 41 is revolved by its connection with thesprocket-wheel 34, when said sprocket-wheel is moved in one direction bythe sprocket-chain 23. When the sprocket-wheel 34 is moved in theopposite direction, pivoted pin 59 is stationary, and the levers 56 arenot operated to compress the split ring 53.

An upright shaft 61 is arranged in suitable bearings at the inner end ofthe shaft 38, and has secured thereon a beveled pulley 62, thebeveledface of which is adapted to comein contact with and be operated by thedrivingwheel 40, when said driving-wheel is pressed out by the inclinedsurfaces on the sprocketwheel 34, as shown in Fig. 5. The upper end ofthe upright shaft 61 passes through and has its bearin g in the hub 63upon the upper end of the stand 64. The balance-bar 65 is mounted onsaid shaft and is fast thereon. A governor 66 is mounted on the upperend of the shaft 61, and is provided with agrooved collar 67 at itslower part, which rests on the hub of the balance-bar 65. (See Figs. 5and 6.) The forked end of the lever 68, which is pivotally supported onthe upper end of a bar 69, secured to the base 35, extends into thegrooved collar 67 of the governor 66. The opposite end of the lever 68is connected by a link 69 to the outer end of the lever 70, whichextends under the friction-pulley 39, and is pivoted at its inner end ina stand 71 on the base 35. A belt 7 2 passes over the pulley 39 and issecured at its two ends to the lever 70. Said lever extends through aslot 73 in a stand 74, secured to the base 35 to hold the same in aproper position. A weight 75 may be attached to the outer end of thelever 70 to increase the friction of the belt 72 on the pulley 39.

I have shown two supplementary attachments which may be used inconnection with my rowing-machine, one of which consists of a dial 76for marking the number of miles, provided with an indicating-hand 77,(see Fig. 5,) and means for operating the same, consisting in thisinstance of a worm 78 on the lower end of the upright shaft 61, whichmeshes with the worm-gear7 9, carryinga pin 80,-which engages andoperates a small pinion 81, fast on one end of a stud 81, which operatespinion 82 on the opposite end of said stud and drives the gear 83,connected with the dial-hand 77. (See Figs. 6 and 7.)

My other supplementary mechanism c0n- Ell sists of an endless belt 84,having thereon a pasteboard boat or indicator 85, and passing aroundpulleys 86 and 86, supported in suitable bearings on stands 87 and 88.The endless belt 84 is driven by means of an endless belt 89, passingaround a flan ge-pulley 90, fast on the upright shaft 61, and a pulley91, fast on the shaft 92 of the pulley 86.

The purpose of the last-above-described mechanism is in case myrowing-1nachine is used in exhibitions, when the endless belt 84,carrying the pasteboard boat or indicator, will exhibit the differentdegrees of speed'between two or more rowing-machines.

The dial 76, above described, is for the purpose of. recording thenumber of miles rowed on the machine.

The operation of my rowing-machine will be readily understood from theabove description, in connection with the drawings,

and is as follows: The movement of the oars direction causes the clutchmechanism to operate through pin 59 and to clutch the hub of thefriction-pulley 39, and cause said pulley and shaft 38 to revolve withthe sprocketwheel 34.. The revolution of the sprocketwheel 34 alsocauses the driving-wheel 40 to be forced away from said sprocket-wheelby means of the inclined surfaces 45 and 46, and also to revolve withsaid sprocket-wheel and to operate the bevel-faced pulley 62, fast onthe vertical shaft 61. The revolution of said shaft 61 at varyingspeeds, according to the strength and quickness of the rower, operatesthe governor 66, and through lever 68, link 69, and lever draws down thebelt 72 on the friction-pulley-39, producing greater friction andresistance as the speed of the endless belt 84, carrying the boatorindicator 85, isincreased. At the same time the revolution of thepulley 61 causes the dial-hand 77 to move through the interveningmechanism, and also causes the endless belt 84 to move through theintervening mechanism, as above described. Atthe end of a stroke thereturn movement of the oars from the position shown in dotted lines tothe position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, causes the cross-bar 21 andthe sprocket-chain 23, connected therewith, to move in the oppositedirection, and the sprocket-wheels 29 and 34 to be revolved in theopposite direction. The revolution of the sprocket-wheel 34 in thisdirection causes the clutch mechanism to release the hub of thefriction-pulley 39 and to allow the same to remain stationary. At thesame time this revolution of the sprocketwheel 34 separates the inclinedsurfaces 45 and 46 on said sprocket-wheel and the driving-wheel 40 andallows the springs 47 to act to force back the driving-wheel 40 todisengage the same from the bevel-faced pulley 62, thus allowing saidpulley 62 and the upright shaft 61 and all the parts connected therewithto continue to operate independently of the driving-wheel 40 while therower is recovering for another stroke. It will thus be seen that uponthe return movement of the oars preparatory to a new stroke only thesprocket-wheel 34, flange-disk 41, carrying the clutch mechanism, andthe driving-wheel 40 are revolved loosely on the shaft 38, requiringonly about the power of the return of the oar in rowing; and, further,it will be seen that upon the forward movement of the cars all of themechanism of the head of the machine is operated, and the properfriction or resistance is produced by the belt 72 encircling orpartially encircling the pulley 39, and the operating mechanismconnected therewith.

It will be understood that the details of construction of the severalparts of my rowing-machine may be varied somewhat, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letter Patent, is

1. In a rowing-machine, the combination, with the oars pivoted at oneend, of movable handles secured on the other end, and means for limitingthe revolving motion of said handles, substantially as set forth. 7 1

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2. In a rowing-machine, the combination, 7

with the car 6, having the projecting arm 11 at its pivoted end,carrying the pin 15, and a spring 16 thereon, and having ahole 10 in theend thereof, of the hub 13, pivoted in said hole 10 and having itsbearing on the shoulder 17' of the pin 17, supported in the outer end ofthe Outriggers, and said hub 13 having an arm 14 extending outtherefrom, provided with a hub 14, adapted to fit over the pin 15, allconstructed and arranged for the purpose stated, substantially as setforth.

3. In a rowing-machine, the combination, with the cars, connecting-rods,cross-bar piv otally supported and adapted to slide on a track or way,of an endless sprocket-chain connected with said cross-bar and passingaround and operating two sprocket-wheels, one of said sprocket-Wheelscontained in the head of the machine and adapted to operate a clutchmechanism when moved in one direction to operate the friction or.resistance mechanism, and to release the clutch mechanism and not tooperate the friction or resistanee mechanism when said s procket-wheelis moved in the opposite direction, substantially as shown anddescribed.

4. In a rowing-machine, the friction or resistance mechanism, consistingof the upright shaft 61, carrying a pulley 62, a balance-wheel and agovernor, a pulley 39, shaft 38, belt 7 2,

IIO

ing connections between said belt and the governor for regulating thefriction of said belt, means for operating said friction or resistancemechanism at the proper time, and for releasing the same, consisting ofthe driving-wheel 4L0, sprocket-Wheel 34, operated by a sprocket-chain,and the flange-disk 41, carrying the clutch mechanism and mounted on theshaft 38 and constructed and operated substantially as shown anddescribed.

5. The combination, with a rowing-machine, of an endless belt or chainhaving the representation of a boat or indicator thereon, and twopulleys around which said belt passes, and mechanism connecting saidbelt with the operating mechanism of the rowing-machine to operate saidbelt and to indicate thereby the speed of the rowing-machine,substantially as set forth.

6. In a rowing-machine, the combination with the oars, connecting-rods,and cross-bar pivotally supported and adapted to slide on a track orway, of an endless sprocket-chain connected with said cross-bar andpassing around and operating two sprocket-Wheels, one of saidsprocket-Wheels contained in the head of the machine and adapted tooperate a driving-wheel when moved in one direction, which operates avertical shaft carrying a governor and regulates theresistance-friction, and to release the driving-Wheel when saidsprocket-wheel is moved in the opposite .direction, substantially asshown and described.

7. In a rowing machine, the combination, with the upright shaft 61,carrying a worm 78, and means for operating said shaft, of theindicating mechanism consisting of the wormgear 79, carrying a pin 80,pinions 81 and 822, gear 83, and movable hand 77, and dial-face,substantially as shown and described.

EDWARD J. KERNS. Witnesses:

J OHN O. DEWEY, SARAH B. DEWEY.

